After Ahmedabad-Mumbai, These 8 Cities Could Also Get a Bullet Train Network
The Indian government is accelerating its high-speed rail expansion with the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project paving the way. The Ministry of Railways is now exploring bullet train corridors to connect eight more major cities, potentially revolutionizing travel in the country.
Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train: A Progress Update
The Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) project, spanning 508 kilometers, is the first sanctioned bullet train project in India. It is being developed with technical and financial support from Japan, covering 12 major stations, including Mumbai, Surat, and Ahmedabad. Construction progress includes:
- 336 km of pier foundations completed
- 260 km of girder casting finished
- Work on a 21 km under-sea tunnel underway
The project is set to bring cutting-edge rail technology to India.
Eight Proposed High-Speed Rail Corridors
The Ministry of Railways has tasked the National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) with preparing Detailed Project Reports (DPR) for seven additional corridors, including:
- Delhi – Varanasi
- Delhi – Ahmedabad
- Delhi – Amritsar
- Mumbai – Nagpur
- Mumbai – Pune – Hyderabad
- Chennai – Bangalore – Mysore
- Varanasi – Howrah
The Delhi-Varanasi and Varanasi-Howrah routes will traverse Uttar Pradesh, while other corridors aim to connect key economic and cultural hubs.
Challenges and Feasibility
The future of these projects depends on the outcome of DPRs, their techno-economic feasibility, and funding availability. High-speed rail projects are capital-intensive, and approvals will hinge on these factors.
Transforming India’s Rail Network
The introduction of these corridors is expected to reduce travel time, boost economic growth, and enhance connectivity across states. The government remains committed to modernizing India’s rail infrastructure to meet rising demand for efficient and fast transportation.
